When Aldric first came to N City, he was still the illegitimate son of the Rutherford family, someone with no status or recognition.
He could either settle for a normal job like everyone else or rise from nothing, climb to a high position, and earn his seat at the table.
He chose the latter.
Two young people, with no background or capital, trying to start a business in the bustling city of N City—how difficult could that be? That night, a heavy snow fell.
Aldric was led astray by a business partner, made to drink a mix of white and red wine. If he didn't drink, it would be seen as a sign of disrespect.
All for that mere order worth tens of thousands. He ended up vomiting uncontrollably on the street.
I carried him, stepping through the snow with each step feeling colder than the last, my ankles soaked and frozen, the pain like needles piercing through. I tripped and we both fell into the thick snow.
I struggled to get up and called his name, but received no response.
Shaking, I reached to feel his nose—his breath barely there.
Just as I was about to dial for emergency help, he suddenly wrapped me in a bear hug.
His face was tired, but his mischievous eyes still sparkled. "Yamilet, my drinking skills are actually quite good. I just wanted to pretend to be drunk to hear you say something honest."
I froze, my eyes red, glaring at him. Aldric said that at that moment, the look in my eyes could have devoured him whole.
It only lasted a few seconds, and then I broke down, crying uncontrollably. I hit him, kicked him, and screamed at him to go die. Through my tears, I said, "How could I love someone like you, you bastard?"
His hot forehead nestled against my chest. "Yamilet, I love you so much. Let's live a good life together."
Now, his drinking skills had improved, and he was the powerful head of the Rutherford family. No one dared to force alcohol on him anymore.
But in his drunkenness, he revealed the truth buried deep in his heart.
"Yamilet, what should I do? I think I've fallen for someone else."
"She's just like the 18-year-old you. I can't help but feel sorry for her."
Aldric, how could you be so cruel?
I don't know how long it took, but when the ringing in my ears faded, the noise around me slowly returned.
With it came a wave of nausea, my stomach churning. I pushed Aldric away and ran to the bathroom, clutching my cramping stomach, almost vomiting bile.
When I opened the door to the karaoke room, the easy-going vibe of friends hanging out was instantly replaced by a cold, frozen silence.
Aldric's seat was empty.
After a long pause, one of my friends spoke up. "Yamilet, um, Aldric was taken away by Vivienne Mclaughlin."
